Int’l conference: Call to protect women’s rights

ISLAMABAD:

Participants at an international women conference urged governments of Muslim countries to curb all rituals and practices exercised in the name of religion to curtail women’s rights.

They were speaking at the concluding session of a two-day conference on “Emerging role of women in Muslim societies: opportunities and challenges,” held at Quaid-i-Azam Auditorium, Faisal Masjid on Friday.

Women delegates from 24 Muslim countries participated in the conference.

International Muslim Women Union (IMWU) Chairperson Dr Kouser Firdaus said they called upon govts to legislate flexible working hours for women with provision of daycare, ensure three-month maternity leave and allow them to compete for government jobs till the age of 40. The event was organised by Riphah International University, Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue, International Islamic University Islamabad and IMWU.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2013.